Impact of closure of TAJCO

By Muhammed Sailu BahA week after an executive directive from state house declared HusseinTajudeen, the proprietor of TAJCO, persona non grata and ordered his business to be closed down, the people who are working for him have expressed their concerns regarding the development.Mr. Tajudeen, a Lebanese national, is a major importer of rice, flour,sugar, chicken, canned food, beverages, etc.Recently visiting the TAJCO office at Picton Street in Banjul, whichis expected to cease operation on the 27th day of this month, inaccordance with the said directive, this reporter found the workersworried about the future of their jobs.One of the senior staff, who prefers anonymity, said the expulsion ofMr. Tajudeen and the closure of his businesses will seriously impacton the livelihoods of many families whose survival is dependent on theincome their breadwinners have been deriving from these operations. Herevealed that the company engages more than 200 drivers, who transportthe containers and other goods, and about 700 other workers in thedifferent areas such as offices, supermarkets, etc.“It means we are all going to lose our jobs come the one monthdeadline given to company to close down,” he said.The impact of the closure of TAJCO will not only be felt by itsworkers but also other economic operators as revealed to this reporterby some businesspersons in Banjul. Some traders and store owners, whoget their goods directly from TAJCO, explained that this developmentwould compel them to look for another supplier. They, however,expressed the hope that the commodities that were imported by TAJCOwill not be scarce in the market following the closure of itsoperations.An executive order issued on Wednesday 27 May 2015 gave Mr. Tajudeen72 hours to leave the Gambia and to close his businesses within 30days.This latest development, however, was the second time that thiseconomic operator has been expelled from the country. The first was inJune 2013 which lasted for four months before he was allowed by apresidential pardon to return and operate his businesses.